U.S. patent application number 16/352628 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for mechanism for securing device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Canon Virginia, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ralph C. McCann, III, Paxton O'Toole.
Application Number | 20190285139 16/352628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67903925 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190285139 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Toole; Paxton ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
Mechanism for Securing Device
Abstract
The present application generally relates to attaching a device
to a conveyance structure.
Inventors: |
O'Toole; Paxton; (Chapel
Hill, NC) ; McCann, III; Ralph C.; (Williamsburg,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Canon Virginia, Inc. |
Newport News |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
67903925 |
Appl. No.: |
16/352628 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62788590 |
Jan 4, 2019 |
|
|
|
62642465 |
Mar 13, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16G 11/143 20130101;
H04N 5/772 20130101; H04N 2201/0084 20130101; H04N 1/0027 20130101;
E05C 19/14 20130101; F16G 11/025 20130101; H04N 2005/2255 20130101;
E05B 15/04 20130101; H04N 5/2252 20130101; H04N 7/183 20130101;
G01N 21/00 20130101; H04N 5/2253 20130101; F16G 11/101 20130101;
H04N 5/77 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F16G 11/14 20060101
F16G011/14; H04N 1/00 20060101 H04N001/00; H04N 5/225 20060101
H04N005/225; H04N 7/18 20060101 H04N007/18; F16G 11/02 20060101
F16G011/02; E05C 19/14 20060101 E05C019/14; E05B 15/04 20060101
E05B015/04 |
Claims
1. A monitoring device for attaching a moving unit comprising: a
main body; a clamp for securing the moving unit to the main body;
and an access port, wherein a position of the clamp against the
main body is switchable from at least a first position or a second
position, and wherein when the clamp is in the first position, the
access port is covered by the main body and the monitoring device
holds the moving unit, and wherein when the clamp is in the second
position, the access port is exposed.
2. A recording device that clamps onto a conveyance structure.
3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein the recording
device is secured to the conveyance structure using a door with a
latch.
4. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the door
provides protection for access ports located on the recording
device when the door is in a closed position.
5. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the door
latches using a spring pin or a ball detent.
6. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the door
latches using a draw latch.
7. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the door
latches using an elastomeric latch.
8. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein the door
latches using an integrated sprung or flexible member on the door
that mates to a slot or recess in a housing of the recording
device.
9. The recording device according to claim 3, wherein a mechanism
on a clamping end of the door enables accommodating different
conveyance structure diameters.
10. The recording device according to device claim 9, wherein the
mechanism is an elastomer.
11. The recording device according to device claim 9, wherein the
mechanism is a deformable end-effector.
12. The recording device according to device claim 9, wherein the
mechanism uses a spring or other flexible design.
13. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the
recording device uses a hardened, knurled, or textured end-effector
to provide resistance to radial and axial movement along the
conveyance structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/642,465 filed Mar. 13, 2018 and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 62/788,590 filed Jan. 4, 2019,
both of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
Field
[0002] This application generally relates to attaching a device to
a conveyance structure.
Description of Related Art
[0003] When monitoring/inspecting by moving the camera through or
against objects to be monitored/inspected, attaching the camera to
the cable and then moving the cable is a current state-of-the-art
method. The monitoring system needs memory to store the captured
images or information, and a way to transfer the information from
the system.
[0004] US2016/0353065 discloses a diagnostic device having a memory
card in the camera. If the memory card is in the camera, the user
needs to take out the camera from the diagnostic device and then
take out the memory card from the camera. In US2016/0353065, the
user needs equipment and time to remove the memory card from the
device.
[0005] A needed feature is a mechanism that enables an easy method
to install the monitoring system onto a conveyance structure.
[0006] Another needed feature is a design that protects access
ports of the monitoring system, such as removable storage media,
other information transfer, or power access ports.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a monitoring
device for attaching a moving unit comprising a main body, a clamp
for holding the moving unit with the main body, an insert port for
inserting a memory, wherein the position of the clamp against the
main body is switchable from at least a first position and a second
position, when the clamp is in the first position, the insert port
is covered by the main body and the monitoring device holds the
moving unit, and when the latch is in the second position, the
insert port is exposed so that the memory (or other access ports)
can be taken out (or connected) from the insert port.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an overview of a monitoring device according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a picture of the monitoring device.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a picture of the monitoring device.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a picture of the monitoring device.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a picture of the monitoring device.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a picture of the monitoring device.
[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the monitoring
device.
[0015] FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of the monitoring
device.
[0016] FIG. 8B illustrates a perspective view of the monitoring
device.
[0017] FIG. 9A illustrates a main body and clamp of the monitoring
device.
[0018] FIG. 9B illustrates a main body and clamp of the monitoring
device.
[0019] FIG. 9C illustrates a main body and clamp of the monitoring
device.
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates an area for removing a storage medium
from the monitoring device.
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates an area for storing a storage medium in
the monitoring device.
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates an area for storing a storage medium in
the monitoring device.
[0023] FIG. 13 illustrates a cross sectional view of the clamp.
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a graph of force applied to secure the
clamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] Exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure will be
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying
drawings. It is to be noted that the following exemplary
embodiment(s) are merely examples for implementing the present
disclosure and can be appropriately modified or changed depending
on individual constructions and various conditions of apparatuses
to which the present disclosure is applied. Thus, the present
disclosure is in no way limited to the following exemplary
embodiment(s).
[0026] FIG. 1 is an overview of a monitoring device according to an
exemplary embodiment. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates top
view, bottom view and side view of a monitoring device 100.
[0027] The monitoring device 100 is for monitoring/inspecting the
inside of a pipe. The pipe is used for conveying materials like
animal feeds, chemical substructure, or other materials. If the
pipe is used for conveying materials like food or other chemical
materials and if other materials other than the material which is
supposed to be in the pipe are present, the user may need to stop
using the pipe. For example, if the pipe is conveying food and the
pipe needs to be cleaned before using the pipe every day, the user
need to check if there are no materials in the pipe before putting
materials they will next use into the pipe. The pipe can convey
materials by moving discs which can convey the materials inside the
pipe. The discs are attached to the cable and the discs can move
against the pipe by moving the cable.
[0028] If there are some materials which the user doesn't want to
be in the pipe like dust, insects, or water, the user may need to
clean the pipe. The monitoring device 100 can detect such materials
by the user checking the captured image/video. Since it is not
determined that the monitoring device 100 will be used in the place
where a wireless communication network is set up, it is better for
the monitoring device 100 to have a memory to which the image will
be stored. Especially when the material of the pipe is metal, it is
almost impossible to use wireless communication for the monitoring
device 100 in the pipe.
[0029] Since the user may use the monitoring device 100 multiple
times every day, the user needs to take out the memory from the
monitoring device 100 and put the memory back to the monitoring
device 100 multiple times every day.
[0030] It is also important for the user not to use many tools and
few operational steps when they take out the memory from the
monitoring device 100.
[0031] The monitoring device 100 is a device having a camera 11 and
a clamp 12. The clamp 12 is a mechanism to clamp the device to a
cable. The camera 11 is next to a light 14. The light 14 includes
two lights. The cable is in the center of the pipe and there is a
possibility that shadows will be caused by the cable if there is a
single light. If there are two lights and one is on one side of the
camera 11 and the other is on the other side of the camera 11, the
possibility that the shadow will appear is reduced. The camera will
be able to clearly capture a larger viewing area by having two
lights.
[0032] A user interface unit 13 includes power button, record start
button, wireless button and charge button. The user can control
device operations by using the user interface unit 13.
[0033] A display unit 16 is a display to show the condition of the
monitoring device 100, menu items, time, and so on. The display
unit 16 can show memory capacity.
[0034] The clamp 12 includes a latch grip 15 and end-effector 17.
The latch grip 15 is for disengaging the clamp 12 and from the main
body 21 of the monitoring system. The end-effector 17 is for
holding the cable with a hole 21a of the main body 21. The hole 21a
and the end-effector 17 can clamp/hold the cable when the clamp 12
is in the position of FIG. 1. A latch 19 fits into a latch recess
20.
[0035] A screw 18 is for retaining the battery door on the rear of
the unit. The screw can be sized/designed such that the head of the
screw is flush with the exterior surface of main body 21, to be
turned by hand without use of tools.
[0036] The clamp 12 will be described later.
[0037] FIG. 2 to FIG. 6 illustrate actual pictures of the
monitoring device 100.
[0038] To use the monitoring device from a closed and locked
position, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the latch 19 can be disengaged
by pulling the latch grip 15, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Note that
the clamp 12 has disengaged from the main body 21. The clamp 12 is
now free to move open. Next, swing the clamp 12 so that the
end-effector 17 moves to the further position from the hole 21a, to
allow for installation of the monitoring device on the cable. The
end-effector 17 moves outward in a radial direction, relative to
the hole 21a.
[0039] The clamp 12 is illustrated in the open position in FIG. 4.
Holding the door out of the way, place the unit on the cable, as
illustrated in FIG. 5. Now, close the door tightly, allowing the
spring-loaded latch 19 to engage. The final engaged position is
illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0040] By using the clamp 12, the monitoring unit can clamp and
release the cable.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view when the clamp 12 is
closed (first position). When the clamp 12 is closed to hold/clamp
the cable, an SD card 23 is covered by the clamp 12. The SD card 23
is illustrated in FIG. 9C.
[0042] It is not necessary to seal the SD card 23 completely. If
the area where the SD card 23 is inserted and covered by the inside
of the clamp 12, it is possible to prevent the area from being
exposed to a potentially harsh environment. If there is water
remaining in the pipe and the water gets into the SD card 23, the
SD card 23 will not be able to continue storing the images. Or if
there is dust in the pipe and the dust enters the insert port 22,
the SD Card or the entire unit may be damaged, making it impossible
to retrieve data.
[0043] By covering the insert port 22 by the clamp 12, it can
prevent the insert port from being affected by the environment, and
protected from impact or other damage.
[0044] The monitoring device 100 will travel in the pipe, factory
or facility where monitoring is needed.
[0045] In the pipe inspection/monitoring, things like feed for
people and animals, chemical substances, and dust may be in the
pipe when inspected.
[0046] FIGS. 8A an 8B illustrate perspective view when the latch
grip 12 is open (second position). When the latch grip 12 is open,
the SD card 23 can be removed from the insert port 22.
[0047] Surface A illustrated in FIG. 8A is a surface to cover the
insert port 22.
[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 8B the insert port 22 is inside of
the main body 21 and is not on the top or bottom of the main body.
The user can take out the SD card when the latch grip 12 is open
and the inside of the main body 21 is exposed.
[0049] The insert port 22 is surrounded by rubber to aid
sealing.
[0050] FIGS. 9A, 9BB, and 9C illustrate main body 21 and the clamp
12. The insert port 22 is in the inside area where the main body 21
and the clamp 12 contacted/faced each other. FIG. 9A illustrates
that the clamp 12 is closed (closed position) and the insert port
22 is sealed by the clamp 12.
[0051] FIG. 9B illustrates the inside area where the main body 21
and the clamp 12 contacted/faced each other. The insert port 22 is
in a position where the user can easily take out the SD card 23 or
access other data or access ports (USB, HDMI, power, etc.) As
illustrated in FIG. 9B, when the clamp 12 is open (open position),
the insert port 22 is in a condition that the SD card can be
inserted.
[0052] FIG. 9C illustrates how the SD card will be inserted into
the insert port 22. As illustrated in FIG. 9C, when the clamp 12 is
in the position of FIG. 9C, the SD card can be easily taken out of
and inserted into the insert port. When the user operates the
monitoring device 100, the user can take out the SD card and import
data from the SD card without using equipment for opening the
insert port 22. When the user opens the clamp 12 to remove the
monitoring device 100 from the cable, the user also can take out
the SD card.
[0053] And when the user closes the clamp 12 to attach to the
cable, the user also can seal the insert port 22 so that dust or
other materials will not be in the insert port 22 and the SD card
will be protected.
[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates an area for taking out the SD card 23
from the insert port 22.
[0055] From the inside area, there are plurality of candidates for
the position of the insert port 22.
[0056] Position A is better than position B for the insert port
22.
[0057] As illustrated in FIG. 10, if the insert port 22 is in the
position A, a user can access area A for taking out the SD
card.
[0058] If the insert port 22 is in the position B, the user can
access area B for taking out the SD card 23.
[0059] Area A is perpendicular area from the plane where the
position A is located, and Area B is perpendicular area from the
plane where the position B is located.
[0060] Comparing area A and B, area B has smaller space to fit
fingers for retrieving the SD card. It is easier for the user to
operate the SD card when the insert port 22 is in position A. In
the case of other external cables or a docking station used to
access the internal data, or to charge the unit, position A still
offers better access for these purposes.
[0061] Aspects of the present disclosure include, but are not
limited (1) securing the inspector on the cable, (2) enabling
fastening to different cable diameters, and (3) protecting the
removable media storage device.
[0062] Through testing, the invention indeed secures the inspector
to the cable. The clamp secures the unit in such a way that the
unit resists both axial and rotary movement. The user provides a
clamping force which is transferred from the steel end-effector to
the coated or uncoated steel cable. The end-effector should be
knurled or otherwise textured to ensure the firmest grip
possible.
[0063] Through the use of an elastomer, the clamp can accommodate
multiple diameters. Specifically, our design was designed to
accommodate cable diameters between 1/4'' and 5/16''. Other
diameters are possible for this invention. The elastomer had to be
designed and selected in such a way that the clamp provides
adequate clamping force on the smallest diameter cable (least
compression of elastomer means least clamping force), while still
allowing the user to close the clamp on the largest diameter (most
compression of elastomer means highest applied force).
[0064] In the design, the removable media storage device was a
microSD card. The clamping mechanism protects this SD card by
covering the area when closed. The SD card area is illustrated in
FIG. 11 with the door open, and in FIG. 12 with the door
closed.
[0065] As discussed above, the SD card is used for explaining the
embodiment. The embodiment is not limited to the SD card but also
recording media which are categorized in memory card and USB data
or power ports for mating with external cables or docking/charging
stations.
[0066] And in the above, the camera is used for explaining the
embodiment but the embodiment is not limited to the camera but also
any recording device can be used for this embodiment. For example,
audio recording can be also applied to this embodiment. Not only
camera but also a sensor for detecting the material can be applied.
If the sensor is used for the monitoring device 100, and when the
sensor detects some material at some point, the memory will
memorize the position.
[0067] As described above, this embodiment can be applied to other
devices/apparatuses/methods.
[0068] In the above, the cable is used for explaining the
embodiment. But the embodiment is not limited to the cable; chain,
rope, strip, or rod can be used for the moving the monitoring unit
100 by using the actuator/driving unit. The cable, chain, rope,
strip, or rod is one of a moving unit.
[0069] In the above, the cable is moved through a metal pipe for
explaining the embodiment. But the embodiment is not limited to
travelling through a circular cross section metal pipe. The pipe,
tube, or vessel can be constructed from a variety of materials and
of different cross sectional shapes. And the cable can be drawn
through an enclosed space, or an open area to facilitate capturing
of images of that space or area.
[0070] Advantages of the present disclosure include, but are not
limited to, no requirement for tools to attach or detach from a
cable, additional protection to the removable media storage device,
and a single integrated assembly.
[0071] Using the clamping mechanism, the user can more quickly and
consistently attach and detach the inspector from the cable. A
single integrated assembly enables the user to remove the inspector
from the cable without the need to disassemble the assembly each
time it is to be removed.
Example: User-Applied Prototype Clamp Testing
[0072] This testing was carried out after optimizing the geometry
and durometer of the rubber used in the clamp. For the latest
trial, we used an elastomer with a Shore 30A durometer. The cross
section of the clamp's elastomeric part is illustrated below in
FIG. 13. Data was obtained by applying a seating force to the clamp
via a push/pull analog force gauge. We recorded the force required
to fully engage the clamp, and a qualitative note on performance
(see Table 1 and Table 2 below). There were two pass/fail
constraints for this initial prototype evaluation: (1) did the
clamp hold the camera weight when up-turned and shaken? (2) did the
clamp hold the unit's radial position (failure criterion: the unit
spins freely about the cable)?
[0073] These data provided a usable elastomer height range for this
particular geometry. With a rough target of applied force around 10
lbs, we saw the only usable option with the given geometry was an
elastomer height of 8.5 mm. This can be more finely tuned in a
further development effort. Further, we expect that adding a knurl
or other gripping texture will increase the effectiveness of the
clamp.
[0074] FIG. 13 illustrates the cross-sectional geometry of the
elastomeric spacer used for this trial.
[0075] FIG. 14 illustrates a graph of the required applied force to
secure clamp on cable, for each the thick and coated cable. Each
point represents a different elastomer height.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Thin, Coated Cable Height (mm) Clamp Force
mm (lbs force) Hold Own Weight? Rotation Resistance? 9 6.5 Yes Yes
9 6.5 Yes Yes 8.5 6.25 Yes Yes 8.5 <4 Yes Yes 8.5 <4 Yes Yes
8 NA No No
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Thick, Coated Cable Clamp Force Height (mm)
(lbs force) Hold Own Weight? Rotation Resistance? 9 14 Yes Yes 9 14
Yes Yes 8.5 11.25 Yes Yes 8.5 11.75 Yes Yes 8 7.25 Yes Yes 8 7 Yes
Yes
* * * * *